Me So Hornless

[MercurySailor]

So long story short, I have to get a POV chit approved to drive my car on the navy base where I have A school. Part of it is a really basic inspection, which my rolling shitbox managed to fail because it doesn't have a functioning horn.
Any suggestions for fixing/replacing it? And yes, I already checked my fuse box. Am I better off just ordering an aftermarket one and wiring it in or trying to chase wires or replace the factory horn? Thanks.

[Kodachrome Wolf]

Do you have voltage at the connectors for the horn?

[DerekTheGreat]

When I had problems with my horns it was because their resistance was too low, you want them to measure at least better than 0.7 ohms otherwise they'll pop the fuse. Simple things first though, so like KW said check for voltage at the horns. If you've got that then try to see if you can measure any resistance across either one, if nothing then you can play with the little screw on 'em to some extent.

[gadget73]

What year is this magical rolling chitbox? 90+ have a bomb in the wheel and horn troubleshooting adds some steps.

First thing I'd do is power it directly to see if it goes. Horns should live either on the passenger side inner fender (90-91) or tucked up into the corner behind the battery and wash bottles (one per side). Its a one wire connection, just jump a decently fat wire off the battery and see if it makes noise.

Whenever i've had problems with the horn on my car, it was the relay had gotten water in it and went stupid. It lives on the driver's side, the bottom one below the three other relays by the washer fluid bottle. If its 90-91, I don't know where it lives but probably in the same general area.

[HiFiMerc]

90-91 horn relay lives by the blower motor, close to the hood hinge.

[MercurySailor]

It's an 88. Thanks for the replies. I'll see if I can get my hands on a multimeter in the next couple days.

[His Royal Ghostliness]

It's an 88. Thanks for the replies. I'll see if I can get my hands on a multimeter in the next couple days.

If you do get voltage at the harness ends, it may be just a matter of poor grounds, for the horns, not any actual damage to the horns themselves. They ground thru their mounts to the body, any rust there will pretty much screw things up. And yes on a '88 they are every bit as annoying to get to as it sounds like. FYI you reach the bolt (there is only one thankfully) for each horn from under the car, passenger side is the unpleasant one cause the charcoal canister is kinda in the way there.

[DerekTheGreat]

...90+ have a bomb in the wheel and horn troubleshooting adds some steps...

[MercurySailor]

Are the horns wired in parallel or series? Honestly only need one op to pass my inspect.
Thanks

[MercurySailor]

Welp, fixed it kinda. Pulled the connector for the driver's side, noticed it was pretty crusty, so I hit it with some sandpaper. Put it back on and it immediately went of. So my little push button thingy in my steering wheel is bad--reads continuity whether depressed or not--so I ghetto rigged a toggle switch I pulled from my sub system. Can't wait to see what they say when I get it inspected tomorrow.. but hey it works. Any way to replace that center button thing on steering wheel? Otherwise in the next couple days I'll just pick up a push button from radio shack and mount it on the dash.

[gadget73]

parallel.

You can get another center button or rebuild yours if you're handy. The button just pulls out of the center of the wheel. Internally its two strips of metal with some foam between them. The foam has probably gone to dust. Originally the foam had a cutout in the middle so the strips would bend together when you push the button. Its held together with some metal tabs if I remember properly, and bending the tabs out will let you pull the whole mechanism apart. Probably some thin foam to replace the original will make it go.

[Tiggie]

I used a light density foam in mine from the home improvement store weatherstrip. Pretty easy and fixed it right up.

Mine decided to lose the original foam fight one winter night in college. No one likes 3AM horns going off for 15 minutes. People finally beat on my door and told me it was mine. BTW if you blow the horn for 15 minutes, they die.

[sly]

I removed the foam and used 2 one inch felt pads (the peel and stick type) on the flat area in the center. I do have problems with the left half sticking closed from time to time, but a good punch usually resets it. This is a recent issue as I did this mod 8 years ago now. Obviously, the others know the proper fix. I just used stuff I had on hand and it worked.